Whether you’re looking for a place to hike, see birds, or see waterfalls, there are some great forests to visit in the world. We’ll cover some of the best national parks and forests in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Dixie National Forest, Utah, U.S.A.
Located in southern Utah, the Dixie National Forest is home to several national monuments and is one of the largest National Forests in the state. The forest stretches across nearly two million acres. It is home to several wildlife species, including cougars, mule deer, cottontail rabbits, and cutthroat trout.
The forest is located between the Great Basin Ranges and the Colorado River. The forest’s elevations range from 2,800 feet at its lowest point to 10,500 feet at its highest point.
The forest is home to a variety of vegetation zones. The lower elevations are covered in desert-type plants. However, the forest is also home to conifers at higher elevations.
The forest contains numerous campgrounds. The forest is used for timber production but also other management activities. Several of the campgrounds meet the National Forest Service’s criteria for selection. Some are located near lakes, while others are in secluded areas.
Several trails are available to hike and mountain bike. The forest is located near several national parks, including Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. The wilderness areas within the forest are also home to several wildlife species.
Daintree Rainforest
Located in Far North Queensland, Australia, Daintree Rainforest is one of the world’s largest rainforests. It is also home to a variety of species. Its ecosystem is home to approximately 40% of all bird, reptile, and mammal species in Australia.
The ecosystem is home to over 650 species of plants, including over 130 species of flowering plants. It is also home to 65% of all bat species in Australia. It is also home to numerous species of fish. These include barramundi, freshwater bream, and echidna.
Daintree is also home to the world’s most giant tree frog, the White Lipped Tree Frog. This species has been spotted in the rainforest on many occasions. It is also home to Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, a nocturnal marsupial.
The Daintree National Park is a World Heritage Site. The rainforest has many activities, including rafting, camping, and guided tours. The park is open year-round, but the dry season is generally better for touring.
Visitors can also explore the rainforest by taking a wildlife cruise. This is the best way to see the ecosystem and learn about its many species.
Great Otway National Park
Whether you’re looking for a quick hike or a long day out, there are plenty of unique forests to visit in Great Otway National Park. This park is famous for its sweeping coastlines, dense rainforests, and many waterfalls. The park’s wildlife is diverse, including platypi, wombats, koalas, and eastern grey kangaroos.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can take a treetop walk or zipline tour. These tours are great for kids and families. You can also go tree surfing. The world’s longest treetop walk is at Otway Fly.
One of the most famous waterfalls in the Otways is Triplet Falls. This waterfall is easy to reach and offers excellent views of a three-segment waterfall. The best part is that the trail continues with a comfortable boardwalk.
Another great walk is the Melba Gully, filled with mossy trees and glow worms. This area is also known for its unique nighttime spectacle. In this area, you can spot glow worm larvae, which light up the forest and turn it into a magical place.
Lawachara Forest in India
Whether you’re a wildlife lover or just looking for a relaxing day, India has some of the best forests in the world. Aside from the beautiful scenery, these forests are home to various animals and plants. These forests are also a great way to learn more about your country.
The Lawachara forest is one of the most beautiful tropical forests in the country. This beautiful forest has a mix of primary and secondary forests. Its understory is mainly composed of bamboo trees. The canopy is crafted of tall deciduous trees.
The forest is also home to various animals, including four-horned antelope, tigers, and leopards. The park also has several migratory birds. In addition, Lawachara is home to several endangered species. Some mammals include the western hoolock gibbon, golden jackals, and Asian black bears.
Lawachara is also home to several rare plants. One of the rarest plants in the area is the Raktan plant. This plant is scarce and is found in the forest.
Lacandon Jungle in Mexico
Located in the southern part of Mexico, Lacandon Jungle is a region that is considered one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. The forest is home to around 1500 tree species and over 500 butterflies and birds. The Lacandon Jungle is also home to some of the country’s most important Mayan archaeological sites.
The Lacandon jungle is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves UNESCO. This jungle is located in the Usumacinta River basin in the Chiapas and Tabasco states of Mexico.
It is the largest tropical wilderness area in modern Mexico. This jungle is home to approximately 25% of the country’s animals and 16% of its fish species.
The Lacandon Maya, an indigenous people, have preserved the rainforest and transformed centuries-old wildlife conservation and preservation traditions. Their efforts have kept the forest; the rainforest is now one of the largest tropical wilderness areas in modern Mexico.
In the 1980s, the Lacandon jungle was a densely forested forest. A small Lacandon Maya population inhabited it. However, the invading farm families sought land and forced the Lacandon Maya to settle in small settlements.
Dancing Forest
Dancing Forest is a strange pine forest located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Its trees are twisted in spirals and contort into ring-like formations. Despite its odd appearance, this forest is an important tourist attraction.
The dancing forest has garnered a lot of attention from researchers. Some believe it is a manifestation of cosmic energy. Others believe it is a natural phenomenon.
Some even believe that it is a place of colliding energies. However, no one knows why these trees have twisted trunks.
According to local legend, dancing trees have been in the area for centuries. A young girl named Predislava lived near these trees. When she played the lyre, the trees began dancing.
The prince of Prussians was courting her. He gave her a bracelet as a sign of marriage. When she asked for a Christian conversion, he agreed that she could show him the power of God.
Some people have claimed that these trees were planted to hold nomadic sands in place. Others say that the sandy soil has caused these trees to grow unusually. People also believe that wind storms have weakened the roots of these trees.
Bosawas
Located in northern Nicaragua, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve is the second largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere after the Amazon in Brazil. The region contains a rich biodiversity of birds, mammals, plants, and insects.
The area is home to several indigenous communities. The Magna live along the Coco River and the Bocay River. Other indigenous groups have been granted legal titles to their lands. However, the indigenous communities do not benefit economically from tourism. Instead, they rely on subsistence living, hunting, and fishing.
Aside from the wildlife, Bosawas is home to hundreds of species of plants, including the medicinal plant species found in the area. The reserve also contains endemic species that are not found elsewhere in Nicaragua.
The Bosawas area is protected through the Ecological Battalion of the Army. It is also part of the Nature Conservancy’s international Parks in Peril program. The Bosawas Reserve is threatened by deforestation by non-indigenous settlers. The area has suffered a devastating decline in forest cover in the last few years.
The Bosawas Biosphere Reserve is home to many threatened species of birds, mammals, and insects. It also contains 34 species of boreal migratory birds.
Redwood National and State Parks
Located on the north coast of California, Redwood National and State Parks are part of four parks. The parks were created in 1968 and are part of a more extensive state park system.
The park’s most famous attraction is its coast redwoods, sequoia sempervirens. These ancient trees have been called the tallest living things on earth.
One of the best ways to experience the redwoods is to take a trail ride. These trails are exciting and offer a different perspective than walking. Most tour operators provide information on the local area.
One of the best trails is the Fern Canyon trail. It is located near Redwood Creek Overlook and is a 1.1-mile loop. It is a short hike but offers views of old-growth redwoods.
Other trails include Elk Meadow, a scenic stop in Redwood National Park. This spot is a great place to see Roosevelt elk.
Another great trail is the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. This grove is named after the former First Lady and was saved from further logging. It is located near the town of Orrick in Redwood National Park. It is a 1.4-mile trail that includes information boards and photo-worthy stops. It is one of the best groves of old-growth Redwoods in the United States.
